Program Overview 

The M.S. in Natural Sciences program develops a broad based scientific background in one of four tracks: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geosciences. The program also develops the research skills necessary to design and conduct original research. 

The opportunity to take graduate courses in a specific track or combine graduate courses from each of the tracks allows the student to design a graduate course of study to suit his or her own specific interests and goals. The two-year curriculum allows students to focus on required courses and complete research in a timely manner. Graduate assistantship employment opportunities provide tuition and competitive stipends. 

The Natural Sciences Program has...

Broadly trained faculty with diverse areas of expertise with Southeastern, National and International research programs.

Well-equipped, modern laboratories as well as access to protected natural areas.

A wide variety of study abroad courses that allow students to conduct research projects abroad.

The Department of Earth and Space Sciences offers a Master's degree in Natural Sciences with a focus on the Geosciences (MNSgeo).  Students accepted to the MNSgeo program complete 36 hours of coursework culminating in a written thesis, with 12 of the 36 course hours devoted to thesis research.  Students in the MNSgeo program work with ESS faculty to develop a thesis research project as a requirement for graduation. ESS faculty are involved in a wide variety of research areas encompassing paleontology and paleoenvironments, sedimentology and stratigraphy, structural geology and tectonics, and interactions between the physical and human worlds.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program will be able to pursue a broad range of careers in the field of Natural Sciences. Common areas of employment include public agencies, non-profit organizations, government service, and private business. Students will also be prepared to move into a doctoral level degree program.

Program of Study

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Area 1 Program Core
ENGL 5149G	Grant Writing	3
Area 1 Total		3
Area 2 Program Requirements
Select the following courses (unless an equivalent course was taken at the undergraduate level):		6-17
GEOL 5165G	Hydrology
GEOL 5255G	Environmental Geology
GEOL 6205	Current Research in the Geosciences
GEOL 6705	Graduate Seminar (may be repeated for credit)
Electives - Select 4-15 credits from the following: 1		4-15
ATSC 5116G	Meteorology
ATSC 5117G	Global and Climate Change
ENVS 6157	The Geology of Georgia
ENVS 5206G	Water Resources Management
GEOL 5115G	Geochemistry
GEOL 5135G	Oceanography
GEOL 5175G	Physical Anthropology and Archeology
GEOL 5215G	Geomorphology
GEOL 5275G	Vertebrate Paleontology
GEOL 5555G	Selected Topics in Geology
GEOL 6705	Graduate Seminar (maximum of 6 credits may be applied to Area 2)
GEOL 6000	Comprehensive Exam 2	0
Area 2 Total		21
Area 3 Program Requirements
GEOL 6005	Thesis Defense	0
Select the following for a total of 12 credits:		12
GEOL 6905	Thesis Research
Area 3 Total		12
Total Credit Hours		36

¹

Equivalent courses taken at the undergraduate level may not be repeated for credit.

²

Students must pass GEOL 6000 Comprehensive Exam, which should be taken after completion of at least 18 hours of graduate level coursework.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Columbus State University Graduate School Admissions requirements, all interested applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for admission for all tracks in the Natural Sciences program.

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, demonstrated excellent preparation in the Biological, Chemical, Environmental and/or Geological Sciences or permission of the program director.
• Undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• A minimum combined score of 290 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Exam. The GRE must have been taken in the last five years.
• A one page statement of experience and interests.
• Two letters of reference. References should come from persons familiar with the applicant's academic or professional experience.

Additional Program Requirements

The maximum course load for a graduate student in a given semester is 12 semester hours. The maximum course load for a student holding a graduate assistantship is 10 semester hours.  Students in the Geosciences track must complete a thesis as part of their degree requirements.